Shonda Rhimes shockingly left ABC to start producing original content for Netflix. Bridgerton is her first Netflix series. It’s a British period romantic drama about scandalous artistocrats.
The show revolves around the Bridgerton family which consists of the widowed Dowager Viscountess Violet Bridgerton (played by Ruth Gemmell) and her 7 children Anthony (played by Jonathan Bailey), Benedict (played by Luke Thompson), Colin (played by Luke Newton), Daphne (played by Phoebe Dynevor), Eloise (played by Claudia Jessie), Francesca (played by Ruby Stokes), Gregory (played by Will Tilston), and Hyacinth (played by Florence Hunt). The Bridgerton’s are named in alphabetical order by birth.
Each of the book series novles is based on each of the Bridgerton family finding love.
Daphne is the star of the entire first season. Daphne as the eldest daughter is on the hunt for a husband, and to take her place as a lady in society. She catches the eye of many men including the Prince, but more importantly the Duke.
Simon Basset, Duke of Hastings (played by Rege-Jean Page) has vowed to live the life of a bachelor. His mother died giving birth to him, and his father always viewed him as an embarassment. Simon’s resentment towards his family and title has caused him to vow to never marry/have kids so that his family line and the title his father cared more about with him will die with Simon.
Simon still fails to resist Daphhe’s charms, and the entire season revolves around their complicated romance. Daphne wants marriage/kids and Simon wants Daphne, but is torn between not wanting the life he was born to have.
Lady Danbury (played by Adjoa Andoh) has served as Simon’s surrogate mother, always there to encourage and guide him since he was deprived of his father’s love. She’s a prominent noble, and beloved on the social scene.
Anthony is taking his father’s place as the Viscount. He’s overbearing and complicating Daphne’s love life, by rejecting every man that shows interest in her. Anthony definitey doesn’t approve of Simon, but Anthony has his own skeletons in his closet. He’s invovled with a woman he can never wed because she’s an actress/singer, and a noble can not marry someone beyond his class. Anthony does show an interest in wanting to abondon the responsiblities of his title and family, and run away from it all.
Benedict seems like he’s gay or at least bi-curious, though he fails to act on it. At least this season. Benedict is an artist, and also wants to do more than what’s expected of him due to his famly name and title. Hopefully we’ll see him explore his sexuality next season.
The Featheringtons are the rival family of the Bridgertons, who are also looking to find husbands. Portia Featherington (played by Polly Walker) is the head of her family, since her husband is a weak man. Portia resents how the Bridgerton’s are wealthier, more attractive, higher ranked, and wants the best for her daughters Philipa (played by Harriet Cains), Prudence (played by Bessie Carter), and Penelope (played by Nicola Coughlan).
Penelope is best friends with Eloise Bridgerton. Penelope longs for the traditional life of marriage/family, but Eloise wants to be an independent woman. Eloise is on a mission to discover the mysterious Lady Whistledown, whose column exposes the scandals of London’s society.
Penelope has a huge crush on Colin Bridgerton, and is devastated when he sets his sights on her distant cousin who comes to stay with her family Marina Thompson (played by Ruby Barker). Marina arrives pregnant, and desperate to find a man to claim her unborn child without discovering she’s already pregnant.
Bridgerton is only 8 episodes but full of many characters, storylines, and was enjoyable to watch. Catch it now on Netflix!
snowghoul
romaincrisis
stormborns
